12 Best Retinol Serums for Every Single Skin Type
By Roberta Schoreder / 12 April 2026
"Retinoids, simply put, are a family of molecules derived from vitamin A which have a wealth of biological effects on the skin," explains Dr Jonathan Kentley, Consultant Dermatologist at Montrose London This family spans everything from over-the-counter ingredients like retinol and its gentler cousins retinal and retinal esters, through to prescription-strength agents such as tretinoin."
Retinoids work by increasing the rate at which your skin cells turn over, meaning with consistent use you'll see refreshed skin, quickly. “Once applied, retinoids undergo a series of conversions within the skin to become retinoic acid (aka tretinoin), the active form that cells can actually use,” says Dr Kentley. “Retinoic acid binds to receptors on the cell and alters the expression of various genes in the skin. The downstream effects are remarkably broad: increased cell turnover, more even distribution of pigment, stimulation of collagen production, and a reduction in the activity of enzymes that break collagen down. In practical terms, this translates to smoother texture, brighter tone and softening of fine lines over time. Prescription-strength retinoids are also highly effective for the treatment of acne. For that reason, retinoids are the ‘bread and butter’ of dermatology with many years of robust evidence behind them."
